John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 351: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the costs that are borne by his Department relative to his constituency office and home such as telephone, IT services and so on; if the lease or rent of a constituency office is paid or part paid for by his Department; the number of civil servants appointed to carry out constituency work for him based in the Department or in the constituency office; the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15171/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Costs relating to my constituency office in Dublin, which is staffed by 3 Departmental staff - an Executive Officer, a Clerical Officer and a Personal Secretary - are met by my Department.

I also maintain a constituency office in Listowel, Co Kerry, which is staffed by a Personal Assistant, whose salary is met by my Department. No rental/leasing or maintenance costs accrue to my Department from the maintenance of this office. In addition, no operating costs such as telephone, IT services, etc, have been paid to date by my Department in respect of this office.

The staff numbers in my constituency offices are in line with the recently issued guidelines on the staffing of Ministers' Offices and all staff are paid at the appropriate scales applicable to their grades.